» The world is facing a shortage of 900,000 midwives, and the pandemic has only made the problem worse The world is facing a shortage of 900,000 midwives, and the pandemic has only made the problem worse Katie WarrenMay 6, 2021, 11:36 IST Interest in home births has been on the rise during the pandemic.Crystal Cox/Insider The COVID-19 crisis has made the problem worse as midwives leave the profession due to overwork and lack of resources, per the report. The world is facing a shortage of roughly 900,000 midwives, according to a new report, even as interest in home births has been on the rise during the pandemic.